We are trialling the way we carry out annual reviews for those patients with more than one chronic condition. Rather than you attending several appointments you now only attend two – one for your blood test and then one for your annual review. This review will be carried out by the healthcare assistant, the practice nurse and the Practice Pharmacy technician and you will only see the GP if the HCA or Practice Nurse feel it is appropriate. This is because review appointments with the GP have been used to discuss other ongoing issues or new problems. This diverts the GP’s attention from the review. Therefore, we have decided to separate reviews from appointments to ensure you get a thorough review. You will attend in a one-hour time frame and within this time frame you will see all the clinicians necessary to carry out your review.
You will therefore be invited in this new way. You will first be sent a letter or text to book in for your bloods, then book into this annual review clinic. It only currently runs on a Monday during this trial period. Your appointment will not be a standard 15 minute slot, you will be given a time to attend and this appointment could take up to 1 hour so please ensure you are available for this length of time. People may arrive after you but leave before you have been seen. We will be reviewing it along the way. We will also be asking for patient feedback. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
If you need to see the GP for a healthcare issue you will need a separate appointment.